Mt Barnabe, Samuel P Taylor State Park CA
• 4-star hike
• 4.9 mile loop
• Medium difficulty | Gain 1,300 feet
• San Geronimo, CA | San Francisco Bay Area
• Driving Directions: Trailhead
Southerly views from inside the active fire tower atop Mount Barnabe.
The Marin headlands across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco offer tons of sightseeing potential, but doesn't everyone know it. Areas like Muir Woods and Stinson Beach are choked with traffic every fair weather weekend. Choose to drive an extra few miles, leaving the mellee behind you and you'll be rewarded with empty roads and quiet trails.
We recommend the Mount Barnabe hike, which rewards with views of Tomales Bay, Mount Tamalpais and the surrounding headlands. To reach the trailhead, exit the 101 and drive 15 miles North along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to a parking area located on the left, just past Samuel P Taylor State Park.
Mt Barnabe Trail Mt Barnabe Trail 4★4.9 mi, Loop, Medium, Gain 1300 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
Once you've kitted up, cross the road and enter the trail marked 'Devils Gulch Horse Camp'. Veer to the right and follow the stream to a bridge, walk across the bridge and then head left into dense forest. The first three miles of this five mile route will take you on a gradual rise up the mountain and through the forest, suddenly breaking out into sunlight, surrounded by grassland and turkey vultures.
When you head up to the summit of the mountain be sure to check out the fire tower. Manned during fire season, the fire-watchers sometimes welcome visitors into the tower which affords some even greater views, and some local insights. The return trip is a relatively fast one, directly down the fire road and back to the trailhead.
Shaded trails from the trailhead, leading to exposed grassland above.
Mount Barnabe's summit and fire tower. Tomales Bay in the distance.
Tangents:
• Trail Links: Official, Public Map at AllTrails
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
Lake Tahoe's Best Hikes
All-year-round fun at this Northern California landmark. Trailspotting's Best Hikes of Lake Tahoe has hikes for everyone.
All-year-round fun at this Northern California landmark. Trailspotting's Best Hikes of Lake Tahoe has hikes for everyone.
San Francisco's Best Hikes
For great Bay Area trails check out Trailspotting's Best Hikes of the San Francisco Bay.
For great Bay Area trails check out Trailspotting's Best Hikes of the San Francisco Bay.
LA's Best Hikes
Explore the natural side of tinseltown with Trailspotting's Best Hikes of Los Angeles.
Explore the natural side of tinseltown with Trailspotting's Best Hikes of Los Angeles.
